COLUMBIA RIVER. 127 



consequence compared with the loss of time, which we could ill afford 

 to spare. 



After getting her off, we ran up the river a few miles, and anchored 

 just below the Pillar Rock, and opposite to Waikaikum. Waikai- 

 kum belongs to a chief named Skamakewea, and is a large lodge, 

 picketed around with planks. 



Mr. Hale passed two days there, and obtained much interesting 

 information from him relative to his tribe. This chief formerly had 

 a large tribe under him, but since the year 1830 the fever has de- 

 stroyed them nearly all. The portion of this country more imme- 

 diately affected by this scourge, extends along the banks of the river 

 from the ocean to the Cascades ; but that part of it which is within 

 the influence of the ocean tides, is the least subject to its ravages. 

 When an Indian contracts this disease, he seldom recovers, for the 

 treatment he goes through is sufficient to kill a person in good health. 



Pillar Rock is called by the Indians Taluaptea, after the name of a 

 chief, who in bygone days lived at the falls of the Columbia, and 

 who, having incurred the displeasure of their spirit, called Talapos, 

 was turned into a rock, and placed where he would be washed by the 

 waters of the great river. The rock is twenty-five feet high, and 

 only ten feet square at its top : it is composed of conglomerate or pud- 

 ding-stone, and is fast crumbling to pieces. I found great difficulty 

 in ascending it. 



The next morning, in proceeding up the river to carry on the 

 survey, one of the small boats of the Porpoise that we had in tow 

 was, through the negligence of her crew, capsized. Every thing in 

 her except her oars was lost, and in addition to this the accident 

 caused us much detention. 



In the afternoon we reached Katalamet Point, and anchored at the 

 lower end of Puget Island, where we passed the next day (Sunday). 

 On Monday we again resumed our surveying duties, and reached 

 Oak Point, where the river takes a turn to the southward and east- 

 ward. On the 24th, Lieutenant Emmons joined me, and received 

 his instructions to pass through the country to the south, and join the 

 ship at San Francisco. His instructions will be found in Appendix IV. 

 Just before reaching Walker's Island we ran aground, by the pilot 

 mistaking his marks, but were soon relieved. In the evening of the 

 next day, we reached Mount Coffin, at the mouth of the Cowlitz. 

 This mount afforded a favourable point for astronomical observations, 



